Periods atomic properties

Why Do We Need to Know This Material Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter. They are the currency of chemistry in the sense that almost all the explanations of chemical phenomena are expressed in terms of atoms. This chapter explores the periodic variation of atomic properties and shows how quantum mechanics is used to account for the structures and therefore the properties of atoms. 

A. The phenomenon of periodicity is particularly clear in the melting points of the elements. It is however remarkable, because this is a purely physical property. The melting point is not an atomic property, but is determined by the relationships in the crystal lattice. Therefore the maxima and minima do not coincide with the beginning or end of a period as is the case with the atomic radii and ionization energies. 

Next, we illustrate these properties by discussing them together with some of the atomic properties for the diatomic hydrides of the elements of periods 2 and 3. 

ChapterlO The Periodic Table and Some Atomic Properties... 

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